by Elle James
“I heard you actually had some patients and thought you might need an extra hand.”
“We do. I think there was only one badly injured and one with minor lacerations. But you can ask Captain Williams. Doctor Eddy was here a while ago, but he’s gone to his quarters for the night.”
“I’ll check with Captain Williams.” Nora wandered through to where the nurses entered data into the computer system.
Captain Inga Williams sat at her desk, entering information into a patient’s chart. Having joined the Army in her thirties, she was closing in on forty, a little stout, her brown hair lightly salted with early gray. She looked and acted stern, but Nora knew it was all an act. She had a big heart and gave each patient the attention they needed.
Nora had seen her hold a soldier’s hand who’d been severely injured in a helicopter crash. He’d been scared and couldn’t see because of burns to his face. She’d sat beside his bed throughout the night, even after her shift had ended.
“You’re early,” she said in her blunt, direct way.
“Thought you might need a hand. Heard you had some patients come in while I was sleeping.”
“We did. Your guy seems to be holding his own. Practically had to threaten him to get him to let us treat his wounds,” she said, pursing her lips in disapproval.
“Why does everyone seem to think he’s my guy? We played volleyball and drank coffee. Nothing else.”
The captain arched an eyebrow. “You haven’t sat alone with a male since you came here, much less laughed and talked for a good half hour with one. I’d say you might like him a little.”
“I barely know him.”
“Sometimes, not knowing a man is better than knowing too much about him. The mystery is what attracts us.”
Nora stared at Captain Williams. She’d never talked on such a personal level before, offering emotional advice to Nora.
The older nurse frowned. “What? You think I’ve never been in love? That I’ve always been an old soul with salt and pepper gray hair?” She shook her head. “I never told you that I married my high school sweetheart right after graduation. We were together for eight years before he died in an automobile accident.”
Nora’s heart constricted. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”
The captain shrugged. “It’s been years, but I still miss him. He got me like no one else ever has. He thought I was beautiful, even when my hair started turning gray in my twenties.” Her lips turned up in a wistful smile as she stared at the wall in front of her. Then her smile faded, and she looked up at Nora. “The point is, I know what it’s like to fall in love.”
“I’m not in love,” Nora insisted. “We only had coffee in a crowded mess hall.”
“And yet, you’re here as soon as you heard he was.” Captain Williams raised her eyebrows for a second, and then hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “He’s in the last room on the right with his friend who was hit full on by an explosion. The friend has been unconscious since impact.”
Nora frowned. “Any bleeding on the brain?”
“The MRI didn’t show any. We won’t know the complete extent of the injuries until the man wakes up. Sergeant Sloan insisted on staying with him until that event occurs.”
“Think they need anything?” Nora asked.
“Won’t know until you ask.” Captain Williams jerked her head to the side. “Go on. And take a blanket and a pillow. Sloan is sitting in a very hard chair. The least we can do is offer him some comfort. He was in that same explosion.”
“And he wasn’t injured as badly?”
“Apparently, his friend stood between him and the explosive device. He was knocked down and received a few shrapnel wounds and some bruises, but all in all, he’s been released for duty.”
“Are you still coming with me to the orphanage tomorrow?” Nora asked.
Captain Williams shook her head. “The doctor wants me to stay and do an inventory of our supplies. You’ll need to reschedule the visit.”
“I can do it on my own. We’re just performing inoculations and doing a quick exam, right?”
“There are thirty little ones in that place. It could take you all day by yourself.” The older nurse shook her head. “I’d rather you waited.”
“They’ve been looking forward to our visit for a while now.” Nora sighed. “I really don’t mind putting in the extra time.”
“You’ll miss out on your usual sleep.”
“I can sleep when I get back to the States,” Nora said. “This will be my last chance to see the children.”
Captain Williams tapped her chin with the pen in her hand. “I haven’t canceled the armed escort.”
“See? You knew I’d want to go, no matter what.”
“Maybe you can get Lieutenant Drennan to go with you.”
“I’ll ask.” She knew Beth had plans for the next day. Either way, she was going. She wanted to say goodbye to the children. If she could, she’d take them all home with her and raise them as her own, especially little Taara, the two-year-old, dark-haired, dark-eyed toddler. She deserved a better life than what she’d have.
Nora grabbed a blanket and pillow from one of the laundry supply cabinets and hurried down the hallway to the last room, pushing gently against the swinging door to enter.
A man lay against the stark white sheets, his face bruised, his hair matted with debris and blood. The steady beep of the heart monitor reassured her that he was still alive, and his heart was beating with a healthy rhythm.
In the chair on the other side of him sat the man who’d been on her mind over the past thirty-six hours. She hadn’t seen him since they’d talked in the chow hall over coffee. She’d slept during the day and had assumed he was out on a mission the past couple of nights. The mission must not have ended quite as they’d had planned.
Presently, he leaned back against the wall, his head tipped at an uncomfortable angle.
The hospital kept the rooms cool. If he’d been hurt in the explosion, he could go into shock. A blanket was a medical necessity in such a situation.
She crossed the floor, pulled the sheet and blanket up around the patient, the man who’d interrupted their coffee two mornings ago. Dash. By the cuts and bruises on his face, the man had taken a beating. She hoped he didn’t have any internal damage or a traumatic brain injury.
He must be a pretty close friend for Rucker to sit by his bed when he could be sleeping in his own cot.
Nora’s heart swelled. Not only was Rucker broad-shouldered and sexy, he was also loyal and a good friend, caring for one in his time of need.
Nora had found that men who fought together developed a strong bond between each other.
Rucker and Dash must have been through a lot together.
She draped the blanket over his lap and leaned over to tuck the pillow behind him, lifting his head gently.
When she settled his head back on the pillow, his hand snagged her wrist.
She looked down to discover his eyes were open and staring up into hers.
He pulled on her wrist, bringing her closer.
“Do you need something else?” she whispered.
“Yes, this.” He leaned up and captured her lips with his in a tender kiss.
She should’ve stepped back and slapped his face, but the truth was, she liked his kiss and found herself wanting more.
Then she remembered where she was, and that she could get into big trouble if anyone saw them kissing. Nora jerked upright and stepped back. “You shouldn’t have done that.” She touched her fingers to her tingling mouth.
“I thought I was dreaming that an angel was kissing me. It only felt right to kiss her back.”
“Still, it’s against all the rules,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
A single cocky brow rose on his forehead. “Do you always follow the rules?”
She did. But why did he make it sound like a character flaw?
Nora squared her shoulders. She liked structure and rules. They
made her life less…messy. “Are you all right?” she asked lifting her chin.
“I am now,” he said with a slow, sexy smile.
“I mean, do you have any injuries bothering you at this time?” she asked, trying to make her tone sound all business. Instead, it came out breathy and gravelly all at once.
Shit. She was so turned on, she could barely breathe. What was wrong with her? He was enlisted. She was an officer.
He must have sensed her distress because he changed the subject and nodded toward his buddy. “Is Dash going to be all right? He hasn’t come to since the blast.”
“Only time will tell,” she said, smoothing a loose hair back from her face. “We’ll know more when he wakes.”
“I hope that’s soon.” Rucker scrubbed a hand across his rugged face and the stubble growing on his chin.
That shadow had been rough against her skin when he’d kissed her. She wondered what it would feel like skimming across her naked body.
Again, she had to shake herself out of the thoughts she was having toward her patient.
Then again, he wasn’t technically her patient. He was a concerned friend of the patient.
And enlisted.
And they were both deployed to a war zone.
Two words echoed in her mind.
Off limits.
“I’m glad you came.”
“I work here,” she reminded him.
“Not until midnight.”
Why did everyone have to point out that she was early? She raised her hands. “Can’t a dedicated nurse show up early for her shift, without everyone suspecting an ulterior motive?”
His lips twitched, and then spread into smile. “Did you have an ulterior motive?”
Nora frowned.
His voice lowered into a sexy whisper. “Was it me?”
She lifted her chin and stared down her nose at him. “You have an inflated opinion of yourself, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “It’s part of the job. If you don’t think you’re good, you aren’t. And you die.” His smile faded as he stared at his friend. “Hear that, Dash? You’re good, and you know it. Therefore, you can’t die. Get your lazy ass out of that bed and back to work.”
Nora watched as a slight frown tugged at Dash’s forehead. Had he heard his friend badmouth him?
“That’s right,” Rucker said. “I called you lazy. Whatcha gonna do about it?”
Half expecting Dash to get out of the bed and slam a fist into his friend’s face, Nora was more surprised that he didn’t. She shined a pen light into his eye. The pupil dilated.
“Anyone home?” Rucker asked.
“He’s still out, but there was a reaction to the light. He might surface anytime, or it might be a while.”
Rucker nodded. “Time will tell. God, I’m tired of hearing that. I want to shake Dash awake and walk out of the medical facility with him. I hate everything about being near a hospital bed.” He frowned as he stared up at her. “Except one pretty nurse.”
She laughed. “I’m glad you made that distinction.” Her lips thinned. “Sometimes, I hate my job. But I don’t hate the facility. It can be where miracles happen.”
“Or not,” Rucker gritted out.
“Your friend is breathing, and his heartbeat is regular. He’s got more going for him than a lot of soldiers do who come through here.”
Rucker scrubbed his hand over his face again and sighed. “I know. I’m just not a very patient man. When I set out to do something, I like to get it done immediately.” He waved a hand at Dash. “This is trying my patience. Not only is he taking forever to wake up, I don’t have the patience to wait for that to happen.”
“Then why are you here, sitting by Dash’s beside?”
His frown deepened into a fierce glare. “He’s my friend. And he, by God, better live and get back to the team.”
The man on the bed stirred.
Rucker was out of his chair in a second. “Dash? You hear me?”
“Do you ever shut up?” Dash said, his voice coming out as croak.
Rucker’s face split in a grin. “Dude, next time you’re too lazy to walk your own ass out of a situation, let me know so I can have Tank or Bull there to carry you out. Have you been packing away the candy bars?”
“Every chance I get,” Dash said with a tired smile. “What happened? Where am I? Who’s the angel over your shoulder?”
“Nothing for you to see, Dash,” Rucker said, moving to block his view of the nurse.
Nora elbowed him aside. “Sergeant Hayes, you’re in a medical facility.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Long enough for me to haul your ass out of that village, toss you onto a helicopter and catch a few Zs while you slept,” Rucker recounted. “About five hours.”
“Damn—I mean, dang.” He gave Nora a weak grimace then lifted his arms and legs. “Whew. The gang’s all here.”
“Not funny,” Rucker said. “That blast could’ve done more damage than knocking you out. A good thing that door was thick enough to shield you from the bulk of the shrapnel or you would have been Swiss cheese.”
“Lucky me.” He groaned. “Not feeling very lucky right now.”
“What hurts?” Nora asked.
“Would be easier to ask what doesn’t hurt,” Dash said.
“I’ll get the doctor in to check you over now that you’re awake. He’ll want to ask you a few questions.”
“Seeing as I’m a captive audience,” Dash said, “and the bed is softer than the one in my quarters, I guess I could stay the night.”
“Glad you’re back, man,” Rucker said.
“Thanks for getting me out of there.” Dash frowned. “When my head’s a little clearer, you’ll have to tell me what happened.”
“Will do.”
Nora left the room and hurried back to Captain Williams. “Dash—Sergeant Hayes—is awake.”
The captain nodded. “I’ll have the doctor notified.” She raised her eyebrows. “Find your guy?”
Nora rolled her eyes. “He’s not my guy.”
“Yeah. Then why are your cheeks turning red?”
“Look, I’m not going to do anything that will jeopardize my commission.”
“He’s not in your chain of command,” Captain Williams said.
Nora stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “You’re not condoning a fling, are you?”
The captain sighed. “No. Legally, I can’t. It’s against all the rules. But I am a romantic at heart. There have to be some bright spots in this godforsaken war.”
“Well, it’s not going to be me falling for a man who is clearly forbidden,” Nora said.
Captain Williams’s lips quirked, and she tilted her head toward the door behind Nora. “Can I help you with something?” she said to someone standing behind Nora.
Nora’s cheeks burned. She didn’t have to turn around to know Rucker was standing behind her. Her skin tingled, and her pulse picked up. Even if she hadn’t seen the smirk on her supervisor’s face, she’d have known it was him.
Nora spun to face Rucker. “How much of that conversation did you overhear?”
He held up his hands. “I heard nothing.”
She narrowed her eyes and stared at his wide-eyed, innocent expression. “None of it?”
Rucker lifted one shoulder. “I might have heard the word ‘forbidden’. They say the best tasting fruit is always forbidden.” He winked and smiled at the captain. “Am I right?”
“Completely,” the older nurse said. “Are you headed to your quarters now that your friend is awake?”
“No, actually, he’s asking for food.” Rucker grinned. “Dash loves his chow.”
“He must be feeling much better,” Nora said. “I can run to the chow hall and see what I can rustle up,” Nora offered. “My shift doesn’t officially start for another fifteen minutes.”
“Good. While you’re getting him something to eat, I’ll check on the patient and assist the doctor when he a
rrives,” Captain Williams said. “No need for you to stay,” she said to Rucker.
“Then I’ll help Lieutenant Michaels find food. I could use some myself.” Rucker held open the door for Nora. “After you.”
She could’ve told him she didn’t need help. But then, he’d probably go with her anyway.
The man was making it really hard for Nora to keep her distance. Especially when she really didn’t want to.
Chapter 4
Rucker had been so relieved that Dash was finally awake and well enough to ask for food that he could have kissed Nora all over again.
However, he understood her reticence. The rules were clear. Fraternization was strictly forbidden and punishable according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
For kissing her, she could have him up on charges. He could be kicked out of the military.
He cast a glance in her direction as they walked in the darkness toward the chow hall.
Yeah, he could get kicked out, but he’d do it all over again. Her lips had been as soft as he’d imagined, and she hadn’t protested. If he wasn’t mistaken, she’d returned the kiss, if ever so lightly. He could blame it all on waking from a dream, but that would only be half true. He hadn’t been asleep, though he had been dreaming of her ever since he’d met her.
“Thanks for coming when you heard Dash was hurt.”
She shrugged. “I’d rather have too many hands on deck than be short-handed for a mass casualty event.” She smiled. “Thankfully, it wasn’t. What happened out there? Or can’t you talk about it?”
“I can’t give specifics. All I know is I saw the tripwire about the time Dash hit it. He was opening a door. That door probably saved his life. I was right behind him. Between the door and Dash, they saved my life.”
“I’m glad,” she said simply.
They continued walking in silence.
“So, you’re leaving in a few days. Any chance you’ll be playing volleyball again before then?” Rucker asked. He’d do anything to spend time with her, even if he had to share it with others.
“I doubt it,” she spoke softly in the night. “I’m heading out to the local orphanage tomorrow to deliver vaccinations for the children.”
